"Being in a hurry. Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me. I cannot think of a single advantage I've ever gained from being in a hurry. But a thousand broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of all the rushing.... Through all that haste I thought I was making up time. It turns out I was throwing it away.”― Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

So I saw this quote yesterday and it felt like a punch in the stomach. I posted it on Facebook but I also wanted to put it on my blog because it really got my attention. God has definitely been bringing to mind the subject of time and rushing these last couple of weeks.

I have struggled with our schedule this summer. I feel like I’m barreling through our days like a freight train and I feel really out of control. I hate the feeling and I know God doesn’t want this for me or my family. I know He is asking me to stop.

Ann’s quote really hit me in several areas:

I often do not fully enter the thing in front of me because I’m so worried about doing the next thing.

Thousands of broken things lie in the wake of all the rushing I do.

Rushing doesn’t make up time…I’m actually throwing it away.

I rush through meals, rush to the store, rush my kids, rush my conversations, rush through a hug with my husband, rush my own thoughts…

Sadly, I have to admit I can even rush through my quiet time with God.

And then I wonder why I’m exhausted and feel so emptied out…I know this is not God’s plan or desire for me.

Be still and know that I am God. – Psalm 46:10

Such a simple verse, but so hard to do.

“The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.”

“Haste makes waste.”

Ever hear these sayings? They are so true.

And so, today I’m picking one thing to work on – the most important thing. If I do this one thing, all the rest will fall into place. If you struggle with rushing like I do, I encourage you to do the same.

Lord, forgive me for rushing through my days, my weeks, my life. But most of all, forgive me for rushing with You. You are my Father and I love You. You are not in the rush, so still my heart and help me to slow down so I can hear You. Amen.

If you are an imperfect wife, mom, daughter, or friend, struggling to stay focused on God in the craziness and find joy in the heartache, then we have something in common. I am a recovering perfectionist and daughter of the King, slowly learning to fully trust the One who sees me just as I am, and is already pleased. I’m so glad you are here.